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James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on the Bears’ Wild Card Matchup Against the Packers
Will it be “Bear Down” or Bears down and out?
That’s what fans are wondering as the Chicago Bears head into the postseason against none other than their archrival Green Bay Packers.
Saturday night’s game will be the first playoff meeting between the two teams since 2011 and their third meeting in just over a month.
And there’s a lot at stake, as the winner keeps their Super Bowl hopes alive — not to mention bragging rights.
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams joined “Chicago Tonight” to share his thoughts on the biggest game of Quarterback Caleb Williams and Head Coach Ben Johnson’s young Bears careers.
On the stakes of the game:
“Lot of divided households in this matchup. It is a big game because the teams are such big rivals. This means a lot to both teams. First-time head coach in Ben Johnson, Green Bay being in the playoffs a couple years in a row. Now they’re matched up. In Chicago the fans are going to be going nuts, I hope, and the players have to find a way to corral themselves. You’re going to want to go over the line sometimes but you have to understand how big of a game this is, how much is on the line.”
On the Bears’ early game offensive struggles:
“It has been a problem, but it hasn’t been a problem because of all the turnovers they’ve been able to produce by the defense and the ability of the offense at the end of games to make plays. Not only the offense, but the offense, defense and special teams, … whether that be Caleb throwing a ball to DJ Moore, or the defense coming up with a big stop or turnover or the onside kick that they got versus Green Bay. All these games have been close, and they’ve gone down to the wire. But also, you feel as though the Bears have come out with a slow start, and you’d like to see them start faster.”
On Caleb Williams’ limited playoff experience:
“One of the things we talked about coming into the season was his ability to play in big moments. This is a big moment. So to see him come out and start hot would not surprise me, even though it’s not something we’ve seen a lot this season. The gameplan they have to put together has to be conducive to them running the ball and the things they’re able to do off running the ball. If they can go out there and establish the run, what it opens up down the field for Caleb should be fun to watch.”
On the Bears’ woeful defense:
“It’s been the turnovers that have helped them stay in these games. They have played the proverbial bend-but-don’t-break defense. They’ve gotten down around in the 20s, into the redzone, and they have been able to force turnovers, which has helped them in this journey of last-minute wins. I would not like to have to rely on that going into this game, but it is something that has been very vital in their wins this season.”
On what to look out for from the Packers’ offense:
“The Bears are gonna have to go out, and they’re going to try and put another hit on Jordan Love that keeps him from finishing the game. If they can put pressure on Jordan Love, something they’ve had issues doing this season, it makes the game a little bit different. But when he has the ability to sit back in the pocket and have free rein over the entire field to pick his targets, he is a very hard person to beat.”
On the outcome of the game:
“I’m going Bears: 27, Packers: 21. I think it will be a close game, I don’t think it will be decided until the end.”
